Daily Yellowstone journal., 1887-09-18
THE FISHER GIRL.

Inc WIFI was trong. III was DloWlng
In sudden gusts along the coast from the
northwest and striking inland at the
opening between the tall cliffs of an old
Norman town. The tide was nearly
high and the weather 30 rough that the
water frequently splashed over the edge
of the quay. The fishing smacks lying
alongside creaked and strained at their
ropes, threatening to get loose from their
moorings. The quay was crowded, for
these fishing boats had run into the har-
Dor with the tide, and nearly every hand
was busy helping TO unload them. The
fishermen were passing baskets filled with,
fish up the ladders from the depths Of
the vessels and the baskets of fish were
being tossed into large tubs Of fresh
water. From these tubs women sorted
and packed the fish in panniers, ready
for removal in the carts which waited
hard by. II was an animated scene, full
of noise and movement. On the sands
the only inactive figure was a young
fisher girl. She had been looking in
tently seward and had now turned
away. Her face wore a painful expires
sion and her lips we're parted as though
in anticipation of some danger.
The girls dres- was a blue wooden of
coarse material. A hood Of white knitted
worstsd coverel her head and shoulders,
leaving her far hair to cluster about the
brow. She belonged 10 that type Of
blonde not m among the Nor
man peasanrry. Her face was round
and dimplel; and the hood in which it
was c~oquetnshly framed gave it the soft
and simple expression of a child. In her
motionless attitude, in She midst of this
busy crowd, she resembled a statue in a
market place on market day.
Below there!" cried a fisherman. who
was stationed at the head of a ladder
which reached down into one of the
boats. Haul up the lamp! We shall
oon he in the dark"
The sun had set, and black
clouds We're gathering towards the
horizon. This fisherman was a short,
powerful man Of 40 or As. A thick
fringe Of black hair curled round his
honest, weather beaten face, and a red
cap with a tassel was adjusted 10 the
shape of his head. His throat was en-
veloped in a great wooden wrapper. He
had the appearance Of a Hercules as he
stood on the quay receiving one weighty
basket after another. The girl, who was
now close behind him on the quay.
looked round as he gave the order in q
bluff, honest voice.
Marcel" said she timidly, 1.-THE Ii.
onne is not yet in port"
The man glanced toward the sea.
Above the horizon the clouds had thick
ened. picturing a black mass in the sky.
''Worse luck" he replied; ''she will
be caught in the storm"
As he uttered this prediction a change
became apparent in the sea. A dark
shadow was creeping toward the shore
and the waves which this shadow crossed
were white with foam. II was another
sign Of the approaching storm, and in a
moment il burst upon the coast. As
though night had suddenly descended
without warning. the harbor was thrown
into semi-darkncss, and with the gloom
the wind swept round the quay and
howled about the rigging of the fishing
smacks. The creaking' and straining Of
the boats now sounded a protest against
the threatened gale.
TIE girl uttered a low cry and her eyes
sought Marcel's face.
pauline. said the sailor, looking
round, sis Fernand on boardI''
eyes" she replied in a distracted
voice. ''He will he LOST
Courage, my girl" said Marcel.
s.Fernand is a brave and able seaman"
Pauline appeared slightly treasured.
He is indeed brave. she said with
grave fervency. Heaven protect him."
She raised her eyes, and her lips moved
as though in prayer. Then she glanced
about with a look Of action. The crowd
upon the quay were still working. in
spite OF the rough wind, with dogged en-
ergy. The boat had to be discharged,
and the herring dispatched while fresh
10 the inland towns. The Paris market
needed the supply, and the owners Of the
fishing smacks, fearing TO lose their
profit, were moving about like taskmas-
tiers among willing slaves.
IdulHle luineu anu IAN a'oiib wy
quay.
II was now quite dark. Lanterns hung
suspended from the mast Of every fishing
smack, and the lamps had been lighted
in the roadway. The windows Of the
Cafe de Ia Phare, the fishermen's favor
ite wine shop, began TO brighten as the
sky in every quarter assumed the aspect
of night.
At the summit Of the cliff, directly
above the harbor, stood the lighthouse.
1t revolved slowly, and its brightness
was like a gigantic eye regarding the
storm.
Crossing the drawbridge, which sep
srated the harbor from the dock. Pauline
reached the foot of the cliff. A steep
pathway led, in serpentine curves, to-
ward the lighthouse. The girl began TO
ascend, and her movement was full Of
vigor and purpose.
when She had almost reached the
height, and had come 10 the walls OF a
monastic ruin. she noticed a flock Of
sheep Imddled together. A black, shaggy
dog was running restlessly 10 and fro.
The shepherd. a huge man, wrapped from
head 10 foot In q thick sheepskin cloak,
turned 10 look down at Pauline.
At this elevated point, neal the top OF
the elf. the force OF the wind nearly
rnised the girl of her feet; but the shep-
herd stood facing the weather, eject and
motionless.
Pauline hurried towards him.
ssPierre lie Tour. +" she demanded fran
1icslly, with her hand upon his arm.